When an unexpected life-threatening medical emergency happens to a child, a ripple effect of worry and fear can spread through the family. Albie was just three-days-old when he unexpectedly stopped breathing at home, but it wasn’t just parents Tom and Victoria who were with him that day; other family members were visiting Albie for the first time.

Albie’s grandparents Robert and Jane recall what it was like for them and why they will be forever grateful to the teams that saved Albie’s life:

“On 17 January 2024, my wife Jane and I were thrilled to be meeting our new grandson Albie, who had been born three days earlier. We drove to Bristol, taking Victoria's sister and her two little girls as well.

He was a sweet little baby - and so tiny! Tom and Victoria looked very happy. The midwife arrived for a routine visit, so I decided to go out for a walk.

When I had been gone for a while I received a telephone call from Jane. "Where are you? I think you need to come back quickly. Albie has arrested and the house is full of ambulance people and doctors!" 

I hurried back to the house to find it a scene of quiet frenetic activity. There was an ambulance in the road and Jane told me that the team from Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) had landed in the nearby park and jogged with all their equipment to the house. Albie was on his back on the dining room table with a tube in his airways and different lines in.

GWAAC’s Doctor and Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care were doing massage on him and ‘bagging’ him to keep him breathing. I am a retired surgeon, and I spent six months when training at Great Ormond Street so I could read the situation.

I was obviously shocked, but I was impressed with the quiet professionalism with which they were going about their business.

We were so lucky that the midwife had been there when things happened, started the process and called for immediate help. It had been a rapid response. Without this Albie would have died.

Albie was transferred to the Intensive Therapy Unit of the Children's Hospital. We all recognised that there was no guarantee that he would survive, and if he did, he might have major brain damage.

The fact that he did and so far, looks to be a happy little boy is a testament to the skill and speed of action from the midwife and the air ambulance team and then the staff of the Children's Hospital. There is a debt of gratitude that we all feel. Thank you. Thank you.”

Forever grateful and together for Christmas

Grandma Jane describes the day that Albie collapsed as, “Every family’s worst nightmare.” She said, “Thankfully the air ambulance picked up the call and arrived with calm expertise that brought us reassurance, but most importantly, they brought lifesaving support.”

Addressing GWAAC, she said: “Your swift actions and dedication made all the difference and we shall be forever thankful. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for saving Albie’s life - we shall never forget what you have done for our family.”